Desert death adder
A species of Deaf adders Scientific name : Acanthophis pyrrhus Genus : Deaf adders
Desert death adder, A species of Deaf adders
Scientific name: Acanthophis pyrrhus
Genus: Deaf adders
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Mark Marathon , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The desert death adder (Acanthophis pyrrhus) is a species of snake native to Australia and is one of the most venomous land snakes in the world. The desert death adder is under threat due to the destruction of habitat.
General Info
Lifespan
15-20 years
Diet
Desert death adder is primarily a carnivorous species, feeding especially on small mammals and birds. It is also known to incorporate reptiles and amphibians into its diet, demonstrating exceptional hunting prowess.
Appearance
Desert death adder is a medium-sized snake with a stout body and rough skin. It bears a unique, distinctive color pattern with a base color of copper or reddish-brown interspersed with darker bands. The head is distinctly triangular and its tail ends in a sharp spine. Male individuals are typically larger than females.
Behavior
Desert death adder are primarily nocturnal, hunting and feeding at night. They display agonistic behavior, lying in wait and delivering a rapid strike when prey passes by. Solitary in nature, males seek out females only during breeding season. Infamous for their venomous bite, they use this as a defensive mechanism when threatened, highlighting their adaptation for survival in arid environments.
Population
Stable
Photo By Mark Marathon , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Elapids Genus
Deaf adders Species
Desert death adder